Container feeding mechanism for labeling machines



Feb., 11, 1958 Filed Sept. 172-1953 FIGA.

E; w.wEHM1L| ER ETAL 25822912 CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELINGMACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Feb. 11, 1958 F. w. WEHMILLER Erm. 2,822,912

CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING- MACHINES Filed Sept. 1'7. 1953FIG.;

'7 Sheets-Sheei'l 2v Feb. il, 1958 F. W. WEHMILLER I'AL CONTAINERFEEDING. MECHANISM AFOR LABEL1NG MACHINES Filed sept.f17. 195s 7Sheets-Sheet 5 F.w. WEHMILLER ETAL 2,822,912

Feb. M, 1958 CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES 7Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept 17. 1953 MN NN ,am AK11/75.

Feb. il, 1958 F. W. WEHMILLER ETAL .CONTAIER FEEDING MECHANISM' FORLABELING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 17, A1953 vBy Feb. 11,1958 F. w. wEHMlLLER ET Al. 2,822,912

CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17.v195.53

'7 Sheets-Shea?I 6 v F. w.wEHM1LLER ETAL Feb.-11, 195s CONTAINER FEEDINGlMECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES '7 SheetseSheet '7 Filed Sept. 1'?,1953 :e MM n ra z man.. vmw Ma M( MMM mu, MV y m United States PatentCONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES Frederick W.Wehmiller, Ladue, andV William I. Nekola,

Normandy, Mo., assignors to Barry-Wehmiiler Machinery Company, St.Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 17, 1953,Serial No. 392,923

9 Claims. (Cl. 198-30) (Filed under Rule 47(a) and 35 U. S. C. 116) Thisinvention relates to a method of feeding objects to a multiple labelerin such a way that the labelercan operate at its optimum speed and theobjects can be handled in rapid succession without damage orrsubstantialpounding, jostling, and the like; and the invention is also particularlyconcerned with novel mechanism for carrying out the steps in theoperation of the method.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for effectingthe crowd feeding of objects in a haphazard order to a machine adaptedto apply labels to a plurality of objects simultaneously taken into themachine in an orderly manner from the haphazard crowd.

l Another object hereof is to provide continuously operating means fordelivering containers in a haphazard and crowding type of containermovement into a multiple labeling machine, and other means for arrangingthe objects in an orderly condition to be taken into the labelingmachine in successive groups. V j

A further object is to provide means for protecting both the containersand the labeling machine, the first from hard rough handling and thesecond from operation in the event of non-delivery of an object to anyof the label applying means within the labeling machine.

Other objects are to be found in the combination of parts andmechanisms, and in the individual parts and mechanism hereinafterdisclosed and claimed.

Broadly, this improvement consists in providing a multiple labelerhaving aisles for the objects with power driven feed conveyor means foreach aisle, a delivery conveyor for bringing a crowd of objects into allof the feed conveyor means for haphazard crowd feeding thereof into theseveral aisles of the labeling machine, and means in the nature ofsafety expedients located in each of the aisles for protecting themachine against unnecessary operation and for releasing the objects inan orderly way to be picked up in the labeling machine for labelingthereof. Y

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a multiple labeling machineshowing the preferred embodiment of the invention adapted for thecharacteristics of the machine, certain portions of the assembly beingbroken away to reveal details of the mechanism and only so much of themachine being dis-closed as will serve to understand the principles ofthe improvements;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary and partly broken away topV tions of thelabeling machine to show'the association of parts, the view being takenat line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

2,822,9l2 Patented Feb. 1l, 1958 IQS Fig. 6 is a top plane view of the`fragmentary portions shown at line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail in plan of the partition adjusting meansfor the feed conveyor aisles;

Fig-8 is a fragmentary elevational View of the illustration in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of a typical container transfer meansshowing the container engaging ngers;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail at line 10-10 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a further sectional detail at line 11-11 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a typical container transfer meansshowing the periodic operating cycle thereof relative to a container ineach of two adjacent rows thereof;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the control system for stoppingthe machine under certain operating conditions; Y

Fig. 14 is an'elevational View of the control system shown in Fig. 13;and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged and schematic elevational view of a typical groupof cooperating parts in the control system shown in Fig. 14.

Container supplying means for labeling machines heretofore provided forcommercial applications have possessed the defect of failing to supplycontainers at rates which would permit the full utilization of thecapacity of the labeling machines. These means have also possessed theserious drawback of handling the containers with much roughness andknocking about so that excessive loss and breakage has resulted.Moreover, prior container supplying means of the type shown in Fig. land other views lof the drawing operate on the premise that thecontainers must be tipped, canted or must undergo a change of position.These prior devices have also been subject to faulty operation with theresult that additional loss through breakage, damage and machineidleness has been experienced. l

The .present improvements, as exemplified in and by the preferredembodiment, are adapted to overcome the defects and difficultiesheretofore encountered and successful results have been obtainedthereby. The mechanism to be described in detail provides an improvedsystem or method of handling the supply of containers for a labelingmachine. This system embodies the concept of bringing into a collectingzone near the labeling machine the containers in a continuously flowingstream having a haphazard arrangement so that there is produced acrowding effect among the containers, but the crowding effect is notharsh or damaging due to the conveying means being capable of slidingbeneath the containers when obstructions occur. The haphazard crowd ofcontainers under urging from the delivering conveyor is guided gentlybut positively into a plurality of 4orderly rows or les upon feedconveyor means which urges the container rows toward the machine wherelabels may be applied. The handling and conveying of the containers iscarried out at substantially the same elevation with the elevation ofthe label applying zone in the machine. With a system of this characterthe containers may be delivered at a rate in excess of the desired rateof labeling by the machine so that the potential capacity of the machinecan be utilized to the fullest extent if desired.

F or example, by the system herein disclosed a labeling machine capableof operating at the rate of 200 containers per minute may be supplied atthe rate of 250 containers per minute without jamming the supply meansor forcing containers into the machine faster than the selected rate ofvmachine operation. Great flexibility in arrangement and choice oflabeling machines is obtained with a system of this character, andthedemands of the anomala j canning, bottling and similar industries maybe=met in a simple and efficient manner.

A mechanism which will satisfy the foregoing requirements is shown inconnection` with a labeling machine A (Fig. l) arranged to apply labelsto a plurality of bottles B simultaneously. The labeling machinep er se,forms no part of the present invention,` except as certain portions andparts thereof may become operationally associated with the improvedmechanism and 'parts to' be described. The machine has a frame 10 whichsupports the stationary and moving parts thereof, including the usualmotor drive and connected power transmitting means. The label applyingmeans 11i is shown at the front or inlet side of the machine A. f j

A suitable frame 12 (Fig. l) is attached 'to the machine framel somewhatbelow the horizontally directed track bars 13 (Fig. 3) provided withinthe-machine. A at the label applying zone L thereof. The frame12 carriessupports 14 (Figs. 12 and 3.), one ate-ach'fside of the inlet for themachine A, and these' supports. carry bearing stands 15 and 16 for thefront and rear shafts 17 and 1S, respectively, of the feed conveyorsystem. Shaft 17 carries a plurality of sprockets 19 spaced along itslength, shaft 18 also carries a similar number of spaced'sprockets v20,and conveyor means 21 'are con'- nected between the sprockets. Trackbars13 extendinto closeV adjacence tothe conveyor means 21 at theoutletends thereof (Fig.

Eachl feed conveyor Ymeans 21 is provided with aqpair of partitions-,22and 23 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) arranged at each longitudinal sideY thereof'to define aisles through which the" containers are moved by the feedconveyor means. The partitions are laterally adjustable (Figs. 2 and3),-in pairs, one set ofpartitions 23 beingcarried on individual frames24 attached to a common bar 25 slidable in v theguide channel attachment26 fixed to 'supports14. The other set of partitions 22 are carried onindividual frames 27 attached to a commonbar 28 also slidable inattachment 26. Suitable thrust gear means 29 (Figs. 2, 7 and 8) couplethe bars 25 and 28 to a crank 30 so that the turning of crank 30 spreadsor draws .the pairs of partitions 22 and, 23 together to vary the widthof the aisles to accommodate different size containers.

The inlet end ofeach-feed'conveyorl is defined by guide means acting todirectthe containers into the aisle between the partitions 22 andv23therefor. means includes a curved member. 33 carried on each .par-

tition 23 and a cooperating flexible and curved .member 34 vfixed to theouter end of -each member 33 and movabl'y attached to an anchor35forslidingntotion therein.v An.

anchor 35 is attachedto each of the partitions 22. Thus, an entrancethroat is formed between thepairs of mem-v bers 34 and 33and VVthesethroats change: as v-thepartitionsfare adjusted byslidingj-action ofguide member- 34 -in the associated anchor 35.

A container delivery conveyor 37 of lar-gecapacity Conveyor 37 is ofknown construction 1and need not `4be. described in greater detail.`Containertguide fence railsV 38 at the outer margin and similarrailsf`39 at the iinner margin of the conveyor 37Acoriiine `the deliveryofcontainer's to the collecting "zone 'Ci The containers are broughtinto this zone in `a lia'phazari c;r'owtl(l;`ig .l 1),'in whichIthe'contain'ers 'arefin contac't'aiid are 'continually slidingLrelativer thereto 'astlrecnveyor continuesto 'inve through-none C on'its^'1fe'tu`rnpass. The pressurewithin the crowd'of containers'forcesthesar'ie toWar'dthe guide means for nach feed eenveyor 2'1V se'that a ew'is created' into all *of theaisles whereh'eaction ofthefee'dcon This guide the machine A are arranged at the same level so thatthe-containers B do. not'havefto changeelevation or devi'- ate lfromanormal upright position; In' Fig. 5, the bar 13 in machineA is given aVslight upward inclination at 13a to facilitate the break-away, actionofthe pusher. forks. 40

from the containers at the discharge end of the conveyor chain 41provided( as` apart ofthe machine A. This chain 41 iscarriedfbyssprockets 42 and 43 on shafts 44 and 45, respectively. Thisassembly is typical of similar means aligned with each feed. conveyor21. Other means not necessary to be shown, in the machine effects the.final discharge of containers from machine A.

The means for transferring the leading container in each aisle on thefeed conveyors 21 isshown in Figs. l, 3a'nd 4; and in greater detail inFigs. 5, 6, 9, l0 and 1l.

vThe. 'frame 10 carries a pair of bearing brackets 46 at each side ofthe inlet to the machine A and above the feed 'conveyors 21.V A rockshaft 47"(Figs. 1 and 3)y is operably supported-in the brackets 46withone end 43 p'rov'ided with a lever 49 to receive a link 50. A knucklefitting 51 connects link 50 with the upper end of a push rod 52, andpush rod 52 vis connected toa yoke 53 which engages'a suitable camfollower, schematically shown at 54', driven'Y by a rotary cam device 55of the type having an internal ca'm track (not shown); The cam 55 isdriven fromdapowersliaft 56 in machine A. Cam rotation effectsperiodicr'ockingmotion in shaft 47 in timed relation with the labelapplying mechanism of the machine. This latter mechanism isv'r1'ot"de'scribed, but is' of known construction.

Rock' shaft 47 carries a plurality of arms 58, one beinglocated on eachside ofthe feed conveyors to swing through the space between adjacentpartitions 22 and 23 (Fig. 4). Each 'partition is :formed with anelongated slot 60"(Figs. 3', 4 and 5). The lower end of each arm 58carries a sleeve 61' surrounding a portion of va pivot pin 62 ofreduce-d' diameter. pivotallyamova'b'le.fingers63 having hubs 64 ininterfitted relation so thafthe 'lingersmay move' in oppositedirections. 'Eachhub hasa .projecting cam'element 65 which abuts; oncevrinv each stroke of arm.58,A a cam block V66 (Figs. 3 and "5"),iixedtoastationary member located between ea'ch' o'fthefeedconveyors'21. The hubs 64 are maintainedunderfrictional 'restraint `by .-a spring67 Figs.

9and'l-1) in sleeve'lb'earing upon a friction plate 68 and'pressingthehubsuponra'second'frictionplate 69, A stop pin 70`in theend face `of'sleeve 61 limits the spread-y ing movement of the fingers 63 upon thecam elements 65 engaging the block -66l (Fig. l2). Thus, the lfingers63, as shown in Fig. l2, may upon motion -of arm 58 toward the rightfoldtoward 'each otherasithey passlbetweencontainers Bfonadjac'entfeedconveyors. The folded cond-itionzlislmaintained until the outer limit ofarmA movement is freached, at fwhich" 'time .the -carn elements -65strike the cam'block 662andlspread fingers.63 'into positions behind thecontainers B. Reversal jofrnetion of arm 58 brings the fingers 63against the containers and pushes the latter into the labelingfzone IL(Fig. 5) of the machine, shown at the left'in the schematicview' of Fig.1,2. This action is repeated periodically for all of the devices on the'arms' 58. The slots-60 in the .partitions 22 and 23 allow the fingers63 toproiect into the-:aisles to engage the containers therein.V

The action of 'the 4transferring means, exemplifiedby the arms 58, issimplified .by the lprovision of gate means for the'outlet 'en`d of4veach 'feed conveyor '21.. 4The gate means includes "apair ofinletipin'elements `73..(Figs.2, 3; 4, 5 and "6) arranged cn'each v'side of 'each*feed conveyor 21 and all of thesepi'ns 'are"mounted"on"a 'support"74"cxThe pin carries a pair of tending the width of the machine A to be fixedto vertically movable rods 75 sliding in guides 76 in the frame 12. Apair of outlet pin elements 77, arranged on each side of each feedconveyor 21 and spaced from the pins 73, are carried on a support 78extending the width of the machine A. The ends of support 78 are fixedto vertical posts 79 connected to horizontally movable slides 80 (Fig.3). Each slide 80 is internally threadedly connected to a screw shaft 81carried in a bearing member 82. Each member 82 is attached to avertically movable rod 83 sliding in guide 84 in frame 12. Each screwshaft 81 carries a worm gear 85 which meshes with a worm on a commondrive shaft 86. The shaft 86 is connected by chain drive 87 to a shortcontrol shaft 88 which, in turn, is operated by crank 89 (Figs. 2 and4). Thus, outlet pins 77 may be moved toward or away from pins 73 toadjust the spacing thereof to the size container being handled.

The pairs of inlet and outlet pin elements 73 and 77 are periodicallyraised and retracted relative to the horizontal top plane of the feedconveyors 21 to allow pins 73 to pass one container at a time and holdback the remainder, and to allow pins 77 to release one container at atime to be advanced by the pushing action of the transfer arms 58. Eachpin element 73 carries a cam element 90 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) which impartsa slight forward motion to each container in the gate zone to permitproper action of the finger elements 63 in engaging behind thecontainers. The slide rods 75 and 83 are connected at the lower ends byrock levers 92 attached to a common rock shaft 93 (Figs. l, 3 and 4).One end of shaft 93 is connected by a link 94 to a push rod 95, in turn,connected by yoke 96 to a cam follower 97 operated in response to aninternally profiled cam 98 rotated by drive shaft 56 for the previouslydescribed cam 55. The action of the rocker 92 causes alternate verticalmovement of pins 73 and 77, whereby as pins 73 lower a container passeson to be stopped by raised pins 77. Similarly as pins 73 rise tointercept following containers, the pins 77 lower to allow the arms 58to advance the containers, as shown in Fig. 5.

It should now be apparent that all of the operating devices, parts andmechanisms derive motive power from a suitable power source (not shown)within the machine A so that accurate synchronism and timing may beachieved in a simple manner. The delivery conveyor 37 may be driven frommachine A, depending upon the characteristics of the installation. Inmost cases, this conveyor is preferably separately driven.

From the foregoing description, it should be apparent how the presentmechanism operates to carry out the principles of the improved systemfor supplying containers smoothly and gently into a labeling machine. Inorder to guard against damage to containers and operation of the machineA when less than a full complement of containers is delivered into thelabeling zone L, safety shut-down means has been incorporated to beresponsive to the presence or absence of a container within the range ofswinging motion of arms 58 (Figs. 4, 5, 13, 14 and 15).

The safety means includes a plurality of feeler elements 100, eachpivoted on a support in such position that its end portion 101 may moveabove the top level of one of the conveyors 21 with which it is related.There is an element for each such conveyor 21 and, hence, for each aisleof the mechanism. Each element 100 is periodically engaged by a push pin102 mounted in a block 104. Each block 104 is adjustably carried on afixed rod 105, in turn, carried by the reciprocating support 74extending the width of the machine. The support 74 is used also to carrythe gate pins 73. In Fig. 15, the push pin 102 carries an adjusting nut107 bearing on a spring 108 covered by a dirt cup 109 of flexiblematerial. Below block 104 a second adjusting nut 110 is provided so thatthe vertical limits of the position of pin 102 may be accurately set.Spring 108 maintains an upward force on the pin 102 to the limit set bynut 110 so that the pin 102 may strike or poke the feeler element 100upwardly (broken line position) if no container B is in the conveyoraisle. The lower end of push pin 102 carries a plate 111 in fixedposition thereon, one end of plate 111 being slidably guided on a guidepin 112 fixed to the block 104. The opposite end of plate 111 carries anadjustable tappet 113 adapted to engage a trip lever 114 fixed to anangularly movable control bar 115 pivoted at its ends in the fixedstructure of machine A. At one end of control bar 115, a switch tappet116 is mounted to project into actuating relation with a power controlswitch 117. In operation, so long as all of the feeler elements are helddown by containers B, the push pins 102 will be periodically depressedagainst springs 108 at each upward stroke of support 74 and the controlbar will be unmoved or maintained in the full line position of Fig. 15to prevent operating switch 117 to its open circuit position. Themachine will thus operate normally. Should one aisle be imperfectlyfilled with containers so Vthat a gap develops in the row of containers,the feeler element 100 will be allowed to raise (broken line position ofFig. 15) under the force of its associated push pin 102. This action isindependent of all other feeler elements 100 due to the yieldable actionof the pins in block 104. As a result the switch 117 will be actuated toshut down the machine at a preselected place in the operation before thelabel applying mechanism can complete its full cycle to bring a gummedlabel into final position at the label applying zone L. Correction ofthe faulty condition can be made before the label glue is deposited onthe mechanism or faulty distribution of containers to the several aislesfor the feed conveyors can be corrected.

The above description has been given for a preferred embodiment of thepresent improvements, but certain changes in the arrangement of partsand components will appear obvious once the foregoing is understood.Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited in its scope or range ofequivalents for the parts and means described except as the same isrequired by the claims hereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container feeding mechanism for a labeling machine having aninlet side for a plurality of containers and a label applying stationfor simultaneously labeling a plurality of containers, the improvementof a plurality of container feed conveyors having outlet ends adjacentthe inlet side of the machine, means to operate said feed conveyorstogether, container transfer means adjacent the outlet ends of each ofsaid feed conveyors periodically ing containers on said feed conveyorsand a position transferring the leading containers to the label applyingstation in the machine, power operated means in the machine connected tosaid feed conveyors and transfer means to operate the same, and safetymeans for cutting off the source of power for said power operated meansto stop the machine, feed conveyors and transfer means, said safetymeans including a control switch connected to said power operated means,switch operating means operably disposed in each of said feed conveyorsand movable between switch open and closed positions, finger meansadjacent each feed conveyor in the path of container movement andengageable therewith, and actuating means connected between ea-ch ofsaid finger means and said switch operating means, said actuating meansbeing resiliently urged in a direction to displace any of said lingermeans which is free of engagement with a container and actuate saidswitch operating means into switch open position to stop the machine,feed conveyors and transfer means.

2. An article feeding mechanism for a machine having multiple labelapplying means, frame means connected to the labeler machine at theinlet to the machine, a series movable together between a positionengagingv the lead-- ,e egszaeie Disposed, horizontally directed;article -ffeedns @awww Carried by said Vtrarnemeans endhavnen thereof inalignment.with the. label; annlyng; meendenarticle supply conveyor.extending adjacent said, feedA con?J veyors inthe same horizontalplanes aid,supply.conveyor forming; an.article,collecting,aonecornrnnnicating;Wittig all of said feedingconveyors ancLbeing adapteito sliderelar.4

tive to thebottoms of the articles-forr crowding thoarticles-` togetherto urgetheni from, the eolleetingfK zone; into the feeding conveyorstotmaintain a f ull, complement` of articles, in each. feeding conveyor,`article-transfenmeans operatively arranged on saidframe` meansV cornmcnlto all of said feeding conveyors, said transferfmeans having? articleengaging elements movable adjacent seid. Afeedingl conveyors tofselectonealticle-at, a tirnoinvthe outlet end of .eachfeeding conveyon andlmove theS articles into, the label, applying means power operated.,means connectedk toy said transfer ,meansy to effect; ,s irrrultaneonsAmovement' entlet ende;

of said elements, andgcontrol means forV saidY feedingx,

chine comprising:. fname means; on; thc-machine; at thek ar;- ticlereceivinggzone'thereof; a plnralitygof articlemoving conveyors. inl saidframe, means; in,v parallelVA owx relation to the labeler machine;periodically alternatinggatemeans in each conveyor adapted; to select4one.articleat a time for release to the labeler-machine whilerestraining the other articles; periodicallymovablearticle transfer;means for saidconveyorsadapted to engage thereleased, articles andtransfer them; as av group into the labeler machine; testing` means ineach; Conveyor in advancev of saidv gate, means totest for the absenceof an article at said gateV means, said testing meansincluding;a,group-.of finger elements; movable; with said gate means anda, similar group of abutmentsV held ,byrthel articles andr free; tovmove in the absence of the articles; power operated ,means adapted todrive said-article, conveyors: gate means `and transfer means; includingacontrol-operable toI stop said power operated means; upon anyl oncof`said fingerrelef mentsV being abley to move its'ahuimcnt.

4. rContainer feeding mechanism for usey with al labeler machine havinglabel applying stations through which containers to be labeled pass;said mechanismincluding a plurality Of container feed conveyors adaptedto move containers in a continuousaflow towardthe label apply-` ingstations andv to slip beneath; the containers uponobr structionbeingimposed in; therow of the containers, said feed conveyorsbeingequal in number to the, number of label applying stations in theAlabeler machine, and .each t ofA said feed conveyors having an; inletend and an; opposite discharge endL directed toward a`labelgvapplyingstation inthe labeler machine, containen deliveryconveyormeans positioned adjacent thefinlet endsofsaid, feed conveyors, saiddelivery conveyor being adapted-to deliver containers ina haphazardcrowd adjacent thetinlet ends ofsaid feed conveyors in excess of therate-V atwhich said feed conveyors move. the containers toward thedischarge. ends .thereof to cause crowding of the-containers into saidfeed conveyor, and said` containerfced mechanism further including nperiodically.l operable transfer means,adjacenttheoutlet ends .of saidfeed. conveyors to move between the conveyors and the machine andltransV fer containers from all of ,said-V feed conveyors into thelabeling machine together, and controlmeans operable at timesA to stopAthe, operation of the.feedingmechanismand said'transfer means when lessthan all of said feed conveyorsfhaye.at-eentainerfat thfecutletendtendoperable at a11..ltitnee vto..restiainglthe-feeding]movementoffo11ovvr1acontaineraconcnrrently withrtransferfodthe, container atA theY outletend.;Vv

5. Container; feed, mechanismI for. use witha labeler,`

machine-- havingysa group,vv .of label applying. stations vto besuppliedsimuitaneously.with containerszto be labeled; SaidVmeohanisrnfineluding a groupg of:1 container feed Conf; veyors,adaptedvtonnove containers, in a continuons iiow toward the label.applyingstationsfandto .slip beneath thel containers ,t uponobstructionbeingV .imposed in,- the flow. oftheeontainers,saidrfeedeonveyors beine equal in. num: ber tolth@ numben-.ofY-labelapplying st ationsf ing the labelerl^ machine and eacl 1; ofAsaidffeediconveyors having an--inlet end remote, from the;labelerfvmachineandV 1l-discharge; end communicating; With the label 4applying` station lin the;v machine, a container delivery conveyorextending acrossv the inlet endmofl -al l -.Qisaidgtfeed,conveyors to;deliver containers; ini aA crowd tof-said-feed,conveyors tobe com veyedaway fromy the vcrowd toward. the labelapplying stationsin; eachgof saidyfeed-,conveyors insingle tile, said` delivery and-feed-conveyors beingrin substantially, the same planeandfthe deliveryconveyorl being adaptedto crowd containerssto said.- feedr conveyors in excessofthe rateVatfwhich:thef'feedyconveyors: carry the;y containers awayy; andv to,slide; across lthegbottoms, of the containersduringjthefcroyvdingmovement of. the containers into said feedconvey/ora; andI said; mechanism furtlnenV includingVPeriodically-operable means adapted to move'between-v said feedconveyor-discliargtl ends and the label applying stations; in the:labeler machineto transfer. they containersgin groupsl to all ofi the:label applying stations,` andcontrol-means.forf-saithperiodieallyfoperable means comprisingfeelen-means-im eachoofi saidfeed;y conveyors responsivein the' absence;of containers in said feed conveyorsv toA stop-,operation-, and; gate-tmeans ,operable with;

said feeler-imeansrto; restrainxcontainersxin:each of said feedrconveyors :following inflin'e. vafter-the containers being;transferred-.fV

6. Container feed mechanism adapted fon use withaaf. multiplevlabeler'.machine/,n.sa-id' mechanism; including a groupl of containerfeed-conveyors. in spacedrapartv and:y

parallel feedingrelation tofeed: containers simultaneouslyinto themachine forllaheling thereof, acontainer-deliv-- ery conveyoradjacentto. .all ofi` said feed conveyors to deliver -containenstosallrof sa'id.,feed conveyors, fsaid delivery conveyonsupporting thecontainers in acrowd during conveyance, partition-means xed at each4side of! each of. saidifeed conveyors todefne an aisle for cach ofsaid'V eedeconveyors: and to--separa-te` guide means mounted on'` saidpartition means adjacent said delivery conveyor -todirect't-heicontainers from the crowd into the aisles for-'each feedconveyor, means to periodically transfer' thehleading containersy ineach aisley as a group into. the labelermachinefsaid transfer meanshaving ele-` ments operable to fold in. one direction for movement, of

saidtransfer means between the aisles away from the labeleramachine,andtonunfold and engage the leading containers for movement in anopposite direction, said. partition means serving to. steady` thecontainers during movement undenthe, action ofsaid transfer means, andcontrol meansoperable. at times to, stop the operation of thefeedinghmechanism'and. said transfer means when lessthan all! of. saidfeedconveyors have a container to be engaged by saidrtlnsfennmcalls,andl said control means bcingoperafble at all;v times; to restrain thefeeding movement'= of following containers with transfer of the conminers.- engaged by Seide transferV meens 7,. Containerjfeed mechanismfor a labeler machinefor simultaneously apnlrins labels toa group otContainers,

seid mechanism-.including the improvement. which .Coni-H prises econtainertdeliver-y: conveyor adjacent; themeehne a operable to convey,containerstor` the. machine. yin haalteled Gremlins-saisi, deliverxfecnvevor having an open side presented toward the machine and beingadapted to slide beneath the containers during obstruction to furthercontainer movement therewith, partition means extending between the openside `of said delivery conveyor and the machine and arranged in spacedrelation defining a group of aisles for containers, individual feedconveyor means in each of said aisles extending from said deliveryconveyor toward the labeler machine to move the containers away from thecrowding stream arriving on said delivery conveyor and to positivelyfeed the containers toward the machine, said feed conveyor means beingadapted to slide Ibeneath the containers during obstruction to containermovement therewith, power means to operate said feed conveyor means as agroup, control means responsive to a full complement of containers insaid group `of aisles to keep said power means in operation, gate meansoperably connected to said control means to periodically release onecontainer at a time in each aisle for transfer to the labeler machineand to restrain following containers, and periodically operablecontainer transfer means driven by said power means, said transfer meansincluding foldable elements adapted to move in the spaces between aisledefining partitions and engage the containers in said aisles, theengagement s with containers in one direction of movement causingfolding of said elements and in the opposite direction said elementsunfolding to engage the containers.

8. A container feed mechanism for a labeling machine having `an inletside for containers and a label applying station therebeyond, a framestructure on said machine, a plurality of container feed conveyorscarried 2by said frame in spaced relation and having outlets adjacentthe inlet side of the labeler machine, said feed conveyors beingoperated together to feed a plurality of containers toward the labelapplying station simultaneously, a container delivery conveyor extendingadjacent each of said feed conveyors carried by said frame, saiddelivery conveyor having a container conveying capacity at least equalto the capacity of al1 of said feed conveyors to crowd containers towardthe feed conveyors, partition means carried on said frame adjacent thesides of each of said feed conveyors to guide the containers thereon,said partition means having an inlet end adjacent said delivery conveyorand an outlet end adjacent the label applying station, `guide meanscarried by said partition means at said inlet ends to guide thecontainers into said feed conveyors between said partition means fromthe crowd of containers on said delivery conveyor, and means adapted toregulate the removal of containers one at a time from each of said feedconveyors so as to feed a group of containers to the inlet side of thelabeling machine, said regulating means comprising -simultaneouslymovable elements respectively adapted to feel out con tainers adjacentsaid feed conveyor outlets and to restrain containers following theleading containers in said feed conveyor outlets, the container feelerelements being resiliently supported by said regulating means to yieldunder the presence of containers and to remain unyielding under theabsence of containers, and means to stop the feed mechanism actuated by-any of said feeler elements remaining unyielding.

9. In a container feeding mechanism for a labeling machine having ahorizontally directed support for receiving containers in an erectposition and means for moving the containers along the support duringlabeling thereof, the improvement of `a container feed conveyor havingan outlet end adjacent the horizontally directed support and an inletend remote therefrom, a container delivery conveyor adjacent the inletend of said feed conveyor to crowd containers in an erect position intosaid feed conveyor, container transfer means movable back yand forthbetween a position engaging an erect container at the outlet end of saidfeed conveyor and a position transferring such erect container to themeans in the machine for moving containers along the horizontallydirected support, gate means adjacent the outlet end of said feedconveyor and within the range of movement of said transfer means, saidgate means including spaced elements periodically movable into and outof the path of container travel on said feed conveyor to free theleading container for transfer to the machine by said transfer means andblock the feeding movement of the following containers on said feedconveyor, and means to periodically test for the presence `of kacontainer at said gate means comprising a movable member adjacent saidfeed conveyor adapted to be held against movement by a container, aperiodically movable element adapted to engage said movable member andtest it for movement, and means resiliently supporting said element fromsaid gate means to permit said element to move relative to the supportupon said member being held against movement by the containers,

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,219,900 Alvey Mar. 20, 1917 1,227,244 Buhles May 22, '1917 1,308,280Ermold July 1, 1919 1,654,706 Schoen Jan. 3, 1928 1,871,676 Ermold Aug.16, 1932 1,911,650 Smith May 30, 1933 2,015,187 Mayer Sept. 24, 19352,050,547 Thayer Aug. 1l, 1936 2,292,800 Rose Aug. 11, 1942 2,517,983Crosland Aug. 8, 1950 2,632,553 Stirn Mar. 24, 1953 2,678,151 GeislerMay 11, 1954 2,685,358 Heil et al. Aug. 3, 1954 2,739,695 Haycock Mar.27, `1956

